It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Released November 16, 1987
Format Vinyl record (7″ and 12″), tape cassette, CD
Recorded 1987 at Sound Emporium, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre Alternative rock, post-punk
Length 4:07 (Album version)
3:29 (Single version)
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” is a song by American rock band R.E.M., which appeared on their 1987 album Document, the 1988 compilation Eponymous, and the 2006 compilation And I Feel Fine… The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982–1987. It was released as a single in November 1987, reaching No. 69 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and later reaching No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart on its re-release in December 1991.
The song originated from a previously unreleased song called “PSA” (“Public Service Announcement”); the two are very similar in melody and tempo. “PSA” was itself later reworked and released as a single in 2003, under the title “Bad Day.” In an interview with Guitar World magazine published in November 1996, R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck agreed that “End of the World” was in the tradition of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues.
Personnel
R.E.M.
Bill Berry – drums, backing vocals
Peter Buck – guitar
Mike Mills – bass guitar, backing vocals
Michael Stipe – lead vocals
Track listing
Initial release
“7: IRS IRM 145 (UK):
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – 4:04
“This One Goes Out” (live acoustic version of “The One I Love”) – 4:19
“7: IRS IRS-53220 (US); cassette: IRS IRSC-53220:
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – 4:04
“Last Date” (Floyd Cramer cover) – 2:13
“12: IRS IRMT 145:
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – 4:04
“This One Goes Out” (live acoustic version of “The One I Love”) – 4:19
“Maps and Legends” (live acoustic)
“12 Promo: IRS 7363 (US):
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – 4:04
“Disturbance at the Heron House (Live from cassette 5.24.87 McCabes Guitar Shop)” – 3:41
Re-issue
CD: IRS DIRMT 180:
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – 4:04
“Radio Free Europe” – 4:03
“The One I Love” (Live Acoustic) – 4:19
CD: IRS DIRMX 180:
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – 4:04
“Radio Free Europe” (Hib-Tone version) – 3:46
“White Tornado” – 1:59
“Last Date” – 2:13
“7: IRS IRM 180; cassette: IRS DIRMC 180:
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – 4:04
“Radio Free Europe” – 4:03